Kit Carson Toastmasters Wins Area Speech Contests

Jim Klipp of Kit Carson Toastmasters in Carson City took top honors at both the International Speech Contest and the Table Topics Contest at the Area Level on March 8.

The International Speech Contests challenges each contestant to present their best five to seven minute speech. Each of the local clubs may select a representative to compete with the winner advancing to the next level. The finals will be held this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Klipp spoke on how a missed opportunity as a teenager has inspired him to never hesitate when an opportunity appears. Thane Cornell from Carson Communicators took second place with an original narrative poem encouraging a “Sweeter Kind of Kindness.”

For the Table Topics Competition, the contestants were given the topic “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Each was given one to two minutes to present thoughts on the topic. Klipp will continue to the Division Level. Second place was awarded to Kathleen Plante representing Carson Communicators.

Toastmasters International provides a self-paced program designed to improve public speaking and leadership skills in weekly or semimonthly meetings. Each club meeting is run as a business meeting. Members work through manuals at their own pace and are led through exercises that systematically improve their abilities one focus area at a time. Club members support each other as they work on their personal goals.
Steffany Walker, the area governor of the Carson City Toastmaster clubs has noticed the diversity of members of all of the clubs. “Some members are afraid of public speaking but find that it is necessary to advance in their careers. Some are non-native speakers that are looking to improve their vocabulary and grammar. Some need to work on improvisational speaking. Some just love public speaking and look forward to participating in the semiannual speech contests. There are as many reasons for being at Toastmasters as there are members.”

Grandma Hattie’s Restaurant at 2811 South Carson Street hosts three Toastmasters clubs. Kit Carson Toastmasters caters to early risers and is held Tuesday mornings from 6:30-7:30. Capital Nevada Toastmasters is held Tuesdays from 12:05 until 1:00. For those who prefer to attend after work, Carson Communicators also meets at Grandma Hattie’s on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:00.

Those on the north side of Carson City are invited to join Clean Talkers Toastmasters which meets at 12:05 to 12:55 on the second floor of the Nevada Health and Human Services Building at 4125 Industrial Way off of Arrowhead Drive.

Commuters from Douglas County to Carson City are invited to join Carson Valley Toastmasters on Wednesday mornings from 6:30-7:30 at the Tail Draggers Café at the Minden Airport.

South Tahoe residents can find Tahoe Toastmasters on the first and third Mondays of each month from 6:00-7:00 in the evening at the Tahoe Chamber offices on Kahle Drive.

All Toastmasters clubs welcome guests to observe their meetings and join as they feel comfortable. Membership fees run approximately $100 per year. New members receive a manual to assist them through their first ten presentations as well as a manual to lead them through ten leadership projects. Members are also eligible to participate in speech contests, the biannual Toastmaster Convention, and additional trainings and institutes to further increase proficiency in the business world.

More information can be found on the Toastmasters website www.toastmasters.com or by contacting Steffany Walker at 775-883-5477.